This Sunday At Church

Tobit 4:3-8

Matthew 5:38-48, 18:21-22

(Click Here To Read This Sunday's Scriptures)

Rev. Bob Chase preaching

About The Scripture:

This Sunday, Rev. Bob Chase sheds light on the exciting intersection of age-old texts with contemporary innovation.

Children And Learning Centers:

Starting on September 10, Childcare will be in the new Childcare Room on the first floor of the main building and Learning Center will be in their new classroom in that same suite.

This Sunday, September 24 At 11:30am

Second Hour On End Of Life Planning In Person And On Zoom (The Zoom link will be in Sunday's e-newsletter, on the front page of the church website and in the calendar event listing.)

Donald “Donny” Dennison, Esq., a member of First Congregational Church, Montclair and local elder law attorney, will be hosting an informative discussion on elder law immediately following worship on Sunday September 24, 2023. Elder law is an emerging practice area that focuses on developing holistic plans to address the unique needs of aging and disabled individuals (of all ages), including, but not limited to, plans that will meet the health, financial and social needs of a person and their loved ones. Topics to be discussed include estate planning, long-term care planning

and government benefits. Joining Donny will be one of his colleagues, Jacqueline Yarmo, Esq., who also an Elder Law attorney. Please join us for what is sure to be an informative but casual discussion on these important topics! 

This Sunday, September 24 At 5pm

Multi-Church Youth Group Launch: Ice Cream Social

We excited to be taking part in the formation of a new, multi-church youth group. The ecumenical youth ministry project will create a space for young people to experience a welcoming, supportive Christian community that affirms their full identities, that enables them to develop deep and meaningful relationships with their peers, and that

encourages the development of a progressive Christian spirituality. A collaborative effort of First Lutheran Church, Glen Ridge Congregational Church, Grace Presbyterian Church, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, and Union

Congregational Church.

Stewardship Is Now Generosity

The new name reflects a season of change at Union Congregational Church. By generously sharing your spiritual and material gifts, you help us make stronger connections with each other, our community, and our mission as a church. Because of you, people across the generations are finding joy, growing in faith, and being inspired to serve and foster change. In the coming weeks, look for stories of how our generosity is transforming lives.         

Daytime Bible Study will take place on Tuesday, September 26 at 12:30pm. The group is continuing their discussion of the book "Sabbath As Resistance."

A Special Zoom Bible Study Of The Book Of Tobit Starts On September 24th at 7:30pm:

For a more in-depth look at the source text for "Happily After Ever," Bob Chase is hosting and facilitating a second evening Zoom bible study on the Book of Tobit on Tuesday, September 26th. Please come out and support this great project! The Zoom link will also appear on the front page of our church website and in the calendar listing for the event.

No Gentle Yoga this Wednesday. Gentle Yoga Will Continue on Wednesday, October 4 at 10:30am in the Guild Room.

The Older Adults Group WILL MEET THIS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 at 11:30am on the Aseembly Room porch.

Per Tim's letter, please join us for a ZOOM CONGREGATIONAL CONVERSATION about a settled minister on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 at 7pm on Zoom. You will receive an email the day of the event and the Zoom link will also be hosted on the front page of our website and in the calendar listing for the event.

Evening Bible Study continues at 7pm on Thursdays.

Please join us for this important event, open to the public and being hosted at Union Congregational Church!

Extra hosting help needed for set-up, clean up and refreshments. Here is the volunteer sign-up sheet for the book launch event: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RpBz6SnLncSLfwH9WOUF3pUF3v0OPaCl3-u0k1XWXPE/edit?usp=sharing

We're anticipating 100 people. If you have yet to register for the event, please do so asap! 

https://montclairlibrary.libnet.info/event/9069171

You can order the book here: 

https://watchungbooksellers.com/item/ayM6jXFx2nXfDRMtaEP3fA

More information about the book launch event:

In partnership with Watchung Booksellers, the Montclair Library, and Montclair Interfaith Alliace, author Jamie Bruesehoff will be appearing at Union Congregational Church for a spirited discussion with Cathy Renna (LGBTQ Task Force) and Celeste Fiore (Trans Affirming Alliance) to discuss Jamie's new book "Raising Kids Beyond The Binary." It will be an evening filled with conversation, connection, and resource-sharing. Books will be available for sale and signing.

This event is free, but registration is required! Click here to register.

Jamie Bruesehoff (she/they) is an award-winning advocate, sought-after speaker, and heartfelt writer. She is an openly queer woman married to a Lutheran pastor and mom to three spirited children, including a sixteen-year-old transgender daughter. She is passionate about sharing her family’s story, because she believes our stories are bridges to understanding, compassion, and celebration.

This program is made available by First Lutheran Church of Montclair, Union Congregational Church, The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair, Grace Presbyterian Church, St Luke's Episcopal Church, Montclair Public Library, Watchung Booksellers, Trans-Affirming Alliance, and the National LGBTQ Task Force. 

Volunteer drivers needed!

Urgent need for Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:15 PM

Help make Montclair feel like home for all of our students!

MFEE runs free bilingual programs for English-Language Learners in Montclair Public Schools. Over 50 children come twice every week for tutoring, academic enrichment, and social support. Most students live within a 5-minute drive of the program - but a 5-minute drive is impossible if your parents are working full-time (or if your family doesn’t have a car).

We rely on community volunteers to drive students to and from the after school program - would you consider becoming a volunteer driver? We are looking for folks to commit to the same day/time once a week. MFEE takes care of everything - you’ll just pick up the children and drop them off. Over time, you’ll get to know the kids and forge the kind of relationship that becomes the fabric of our community.

Sign-up here!

If you are interested in learning more, please complete the interest form or contact Dory Hack at [email protected] or at 917-822-0361. 

Please join the 2023 Men's Retreat!

Friends and members of Union who identify as male will be holding our annual retreat from Friday, October 6 to Sunday, October 8 at Crossroads Retreat Center, 29 Pleasant Grove Road, Port Murray, NJ 07085. Registrations can now be made online through the church website by clicking the Donate/Pay menu item and selecting the Men's Retreat option.

For more details or if you have questions, please contact Mike Spinella. Call 973-943-0501 or email [email protected].